Downtown's Blighted Surface Parking Lots Under Fire

[fieldafm]

Has Lennar ever invested in Downtown redevelopment?

Sure, as long as you count the intersections of Atlantic Blvd/Kernan Blvd  and  Merrill Road/9A as part of the urban core.

BTW Lennar... how did buying out/closing down Jax Raceways work out for ya?

While I still believe the parking lot issue is more of a symptom rather than the disease

+1

Please Lord.  Let the new mayor come quickly.

+100

[CS Foltz]

Plus 1K to both of you!

[ChriswUfGator]

Cleveland Ferguson was one of my professors back in law school, and I know him reasonably well. He is intelligent, friendly, and reasonably minded. I believe he is definitely someone that would "get it" if he knew the facts involved here. And unlike the other members of this committee, he is an academic, he's not paradoxically making money off a sprawl-enabling business whose interests directly conflict with downtown's, at the same time he's serving on this board like most of the other members are. He may be a great source to have a productive discussion about these problems. Craig Gibbs also may be another resource, he's a well-regarded divorce attorney, he has nothing to do with sprawl, and unless something's changed since last I heard, he has his offices downtown, so he has a vested interest down there. If anyone wants something done, I'd start with these two, as they aren't hogtied by their own business interests which run directly counter to the concept of urban density.

[stjr]

Given that JEDC is responsible for all of Duval County economic development, its commissioners may not be any or at all experienced in urban issues.  In other words, the commission is grossly short the specialized expertise to deal with all the issues before it.  This may be why the DDA was something that should have been retained:  A group representative of, and knowledgeable about, the specialized concerns and solutions for the urban core that may differ from suburbia.

With respect to downtown representation on JEDC, there are also appears to be no retail, entertainment, or small business reps on JEDC.  A major miss when discussing downtown.  Maybe this further explains why downtown is NOT where it is at!

[Noone]

I'm interested to read people's opinions on this particular issue.

Its an election year. We have some new parking meters and they take a credit card. Someone made it happen.

So now we have all these parking lots and legislation is making its way through council.

Some of you have been advocating for rail. I've never been on a train unless the skyway counts and even the last time has been a couple of years. But for those who keep showing the benefits of even a street car I must say that I think that you can Make it Happen.

Lake, Ock, with all these parking lots and some that are city owned what would be the best North and South corridor that would garner the biggest bang for the buck to utilize these parking lots that will be forced by ordinance to do something?

I'm just looking at #29 or is it 26 but look at the street pole and the sidewalk. Point is in my opinion this is the time to identify a corridor and move the street light that it could power a street car.

I'm not a big rail guy. But for those of you that are and for making the case for those lot owners that will be forced to do something this may be the time to start yelling

"All ABOARD!!

[lewyn]

Why not a split rate tax, so unimproved land like parking lots gets taxed more than buildings?

http://www.wealthandwant.com/themes/Split-Rate_Taxation.html

[Ocklawaha]

Take any non-players or questionable city owned properties and offer a deal that the city will remove the slabs and the owners will plant sod and designated trees and shrubs per "concept drawings"... RESULT? Instant micro parks for land awaiting future suitors.  Insurance should be even less for a passive pedestrian attractive lawn then it is for people and automobiles.

OCKLAWAHA

[urbaknight]

I think parking garages with apartments on top would be a way to bring more residents downtown. and reduce the lack of parking.

Huh?  What lack of parking?

If things go the way I think they should, parking will be a problem. Because I think that all of dt should be constantly vibrant. So I'm thinking, A five level parking garage with five or six stories of apartments on top of the garage and reserving the top level for residents, while the rest of the garage remains open to the public. For a small fee of course.

[urbaknight]

Here is a novel idea.  Tax each parking space downtown, the proceeds of which go toward funding mass transit improvements to make parking unnecessary downtown. 

That's what happens in Oslo Norway. They charge outrageous tolls fees, parking ans gas are also over the top expensive. Then that money subsidizes public transit. If we can only do that without the gas addicts knowing about  where the money is going (because they would not allow it, all they want are more roads, highways and stripmalls) we can easily fix any mass transit concerns.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

That's what happens in Oslo Norway. They charge outrageous tolls fees, parking ans gas are also over the top expensive. Then that money subsidizes public transit. If we can only do that without the gas addicts knowing about  where the money is going (because they would not allow it, all they want are more roads, highways and stripmalls) we can easily fix any mass transit concerns.

discourage use ov fossil fuels?  why, that's...that's...unamerican!

...count me in.

[ricker]

List of Commissioners:

   * Cleveland Ferguson, Professor of Law, Florida Coastal School of Law
   * Craig A. Gibbs, Attorney, The Law Office of Craig Gibbs
   * Robert W. Helms, CEO (retired), Wachovia Bank of Florida
   * Jack L. Meeks, President, Jack Meeks & Associates, CPAs, LLC
   * Barbara Moore, Division President, Lennar
   * Helen Rowan, Vice President, Strategic Planning, Rayonier, Inc.
   * Randle P. Shoemaker-Crump, Major Claims Counsel, Senior Vice President, Fidelity National Title Group

Don't get me wrong.  These are all nice people, and wouldnt be serving on the board if they didnt want to contribute in a positive way to their community, but come on, people.  Lets talk basic skill sets and toolboxes.  Three attorneys, an accountant, a national homebuilding franchise president, and two bankers?  Helen Rowan and Cleveland Ferguson look to be the only ones who belong on an actual economic development commission.  

Where is the manufacturing, maritime, transportation, economist or urban planning element in this group?

And if you don't have representatives of the most important parts of any economic development group on the board, how in the hell do you suppose that they are going to make any decent decisions?  I guess the whole thing is supposed to rest on Ron Barton's shoulders?

omg.

Please lord.  Let the new mayor come quickly.

[ricker]

what I meant to say.. .
was sweet lord the heap of effort that has culminated in this in-depth and clean, convincing professional presentation is awe inspiring.
seriously.
As a I previously worked with a local ERs legal dept and became aware that ONE same individual thrice sued for slip and fall cases, I cannot understand how the coj has not viewed these parcels a danger and liabilty farrr before now.
AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN.

great study and report - I cannot help but sense a bit of commando recon swaying the JEDC. finally someone's listening.

Where is the manufacturing, maritime, transportation, economist or urban planning element in this group?

[Garden guy]

This city will creat a control group for anything..i wonder how much that costs us? A bunch of know nothing politician wanna bees making decisions...a waist of money unless everyones' working for free.

[urbanlibertarian]

From the Florida Times-Union:

http://jacksonville.com/business/2011-02-07/story/cracking-down-makeshift-downtown-parking-lots

Cracking down on makeshift downtown parking lots
Legislation, meant to prevent blight, will require owners to get certification.
Posted: February 7, 2011 - 11:50pm


By David Bauerlein

Unsightly parking lots in downtown Jacksonville, many near the site of the new county courthouse, would fall under beautification requirements in legislation set for a City Council vote tonight.

The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, which oversees downtown redevelopment, has pushed the measure, saying shabby parking lots are a drag on attracting redevelopment to the core.

Downtown Vision, a nonprofit representing property owners in the core, supports the legislation. A white paper issued by Downtown Vision in 2010 said many parking lots are in a deplorable state and create a "barren wasteland."

"We think this is one small step to generate pride of ownership and change the perception of downtown as unattractive and unkempt," said Terry Lorince, executive director of Downtown Vision. "We all need to step it up."

The bill originally said parking lot owners would pay for licenses annually. But the amended version calls for an owner to obtain a one-time certification from the city. The certification would be based on criteria such as landscaping, fencing, signs and paving. The application fee for certification would range from $150 to $450, depending on the size of the lot.

Another change in the bill has narrowed the types of parking lots needing city certification. The ordinance would apply to commercial lots that sell parking to individuals on a first-come, first-serve basis. The revised bill does not require certification of lots that primarily serve a particular business by providing parking for its employees or customers.

The JEDC offered the amendments while the City Council was debating the bill, which has been approved unanimously by two council committees.

JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton said the legislation still fulfills the goal of improving unsightly lots that suffer from lack of care by owners. He said commercial lots operating on grassy areas or atop the slabs of demolished buildings are the main source of eyesores. The blight "hurts everybody" by depressing the value of other downtown property, which ultimately makes it harder for lot owners to sell their own land for redevelopment, he said.

Property owners would have until Jan. 1 to apply for certification and face a Jan. 1, 2014 deadline to make changes spelled out by the city.

Property owners who don't pursue certification would instead fall under standards for the appearance of vacant land. For instance, a lot that has building slabs or brick foundations would need to be cleared so it can be covered with grass and landscaping.

"Just because you're not going to run a makeshift parking operation doesn't mean you can leave it in a blighted situation," Barton said.

The area around the site of the new county courthouse has a large number of parking lots that would fall under the requirements of the proposed ordinance. The legislation would not pertain to parking lots in the sports and entertainment complex.

david.bauerlein@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4581

[Bativac]

Judging by the article comments, this isn't a real popular piece of legislation. I have the feeling most of Jacksonville is going to treat this as more government intrusion, which it is, I guess, but it's something that the property owners aren't going to take on themselves. In this case I think the city needs to step in. Also, woe unto city officials if somebody mentions tax dollars paying for enforcement.

I mean, looking at some of these lots, you'd think you're in a Mad Max sequel. Between broken pavement, weeds, litter... I go back to my earlier statement that the city would fine me if my front yard looked like some of these parking lots. I don't think it's too much to ask that the lots look more like well-planned and maintained parking lots and less like makeshift parking on top of an old historic building foundation (which most of these lots are, right?).